Table of Contents
PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers can now download Persona 5 Royal, a critically acclaimed RPG boasting a 95 Metacritic rating, at no additional cost. This massive addition is perfect for hardcore RPG fans and PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 owners looking to dive into one of the most celebrated titles of the last decade without paying full price. By adding a game with up to 140 hours of content, Sony is significantly boosting the value of its higher-tier subscription services this March.
Originally released by Atlus in 2016 and expanded in 2019, Persona 5 Royal is renowned for its staggering scale. Players looking to simply mainline the story are looking at roughly 100 hours of gameplay. Adding side content pushes that figure to around 120 hours, while dedicated completionists will need approximately 140 hours to see everything the RPG has to offer. It stands out as the biggest, longest, and arguably the best game added to the PlayStation Plus lineup this month.
Despite being the sixth mainline installment, Persona 5 is widely credited with taking the historically niche franchise into the mainstream global market. It remains the best-selling and highest-rated entry in the series to date. Because each Persona title functions as a completely standalone experience, newcomers do not need to play any previous installments to understand the story. This makes it an ideal entry point for players looking to familiarize themselves with the franchise ahead of the highly anticipated Persona 6, which is expected to be a major highlight of the current console generation.
While Sony and Atlus have not officially disclosed exactly how long Persona 5 Royal will remain on the service, titles of this magnitude typically operate on 12-month or 24-month licensing contracts. Subscribers will likely need that extended timeframe to finish the massive campaign. This addition follows another major drop earlier this month, where an unnamed RPG featuring up to 180 hours of content was made available across all tiers of the Sony subscription service.
My Take
The inclusion of Persona 5 Royal on PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium is a calculated retention strategy by Sony. By offering a 140-hour, 95-rated RPG, the platform effectively locks engaged players into its ecosystem for months, reducing subscription churn. Furthermore, with Persona 6 looming on the horizon, Atlus benefits immensely from this deal by lowering the barrier to entry and building a massive new audience that will likely purchase the next sequel at full price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to play previous Persona games to understand Persona 5 Royal?
No. Each game in the series is a standalone experience, making this a perfect starting point for newcomers.
Which PlayStation Plus tiers include Persona 5 Royal?
The game is currently available for free to subscribers on the PlayStation Plus Extra and PlayStation Plus Premium tiers.
How long does it take to beat Persona 5 Royal?
The main story takes about 100 hours to complete, while a full completionist run will take roughly 140 hours.